Vatican City: During a meeting with members of the Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that synodality is not merely a structure or system, but a spiritual attitude a way of being Church that nurtures participation, unity, and shared mission.
Addressing the group on Thursday afternoon, Pope Leo began with what he described as a “central thought” before inviting reflections from the Synod Secretariat team. He noted that Pope Francis revitalized the Synodal process, taking inspiration from Pope St. Paul VI, who had first envisioned the Synod as a permanent structure for consultation and communion in the life of the Church.
“The lasting legacy left to us,” Pope Leo said, “is the understanding that synodality is a style of walking together a mindset that transforms how we live the Church’s identity. It’s about fostering real experiences of listening, dialogue, and communion.”
Pope Leo acknowledged how Pope Francis developed this vision across various Synodal gatherings, especially those focused on the family, which paved the way for the current global journey dedicated specifically to the theme of synodality itself.
“This process,” he said, “has allowed the Synod of Bishops to retain its original institutional structure while becoming more dynamic and participatory, enriched by the fruits of discernment and spiritual renewal seen in recent years.”
He underscored that this evolution does not abandon tradition, but rather deepens it, opening doors to new forms of engagement among bishops, clergy, religious, and laity alike. In this way, synodality becomes more than a model it becomes a testimony of how the Church lives her mission in today’s world.
Pope Leo concluded his remarks by highlighting the vital role of the General Secretariat as the custodians and cultivators of the Synod’s mission. “You are entrusted with the task,” he said, “of gathering the fruits of this journey and advancing its reflection into the future.”
Through this encounter, Pope Leo affirmed the Church’s ongoing commitment to a synodal way of being rooted in communion, participation, and mission. His words serve as a reminder that synodality is not merely a process to be completed, but a path to be lived, with hearts open to the Holy Spirit and ears attentive to the voice of the People of God.